Abu Dhabi: The Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council (QCC) has announced the voluntary recall of 2,363 products in 21 categories including toys, electrical appliances, cosmetics, cigarettes and tobacco products.
The entity responsible for developing quality infrastructure in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, said the recall was an outcome of the inspection campaigns carried out in H1 2017 during which QCC inspectors examined a total of 36,291 products from 852 establishments.
Following the inspection campaigns, suppliers voluntarily withdrew those products which failed to meet relevant safety and quality requirements.
The campaigns are part of QCC’s sustained efforts to ensure that all products retailed in the markets of Abu Dhabi meet its stringent quality and safety requirements in a bid to prevent the defective products from reaching the consumers.
“QCC keeps a close tab on all commercial activities in Abu Dhabi through carrying out routine and surprise market inspections to ensure that all traders and suppliers adhere to the relevant safety and quality regulations,” said Sultan Al Mehairi, Director of Information Service and Engagement at QCC.
He explained that with regard to toys, inspectors issued warnings to outlets found selling products which did not meet the safety standards. Those outlets were asked to take corrective measures to ensure they comply with specified standards and requirements before allowing them to resume the sale of such products.
As part of the inspection campaign, 12,038 toys from 319 establishments were examined toys, which included stuffed toys, water toys, puzzles, video games, colouring products and masks. Inspectors examined the toys for the GCC Standardisation Organisation (GSO) Conformity Marking and other relevant details including warning information on them.
The campaign also targeted electrical appliances including air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, televisions, water boilers, frying machines, grills and ovens as well as personal care products.
A total 13,409 products from 224 establishments were checked and the inspectors ascertained that all the products complied with the relevant quality and safety requirements and carried the ECAS certificate issued by the Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology (ESMA).
The requirements stipulate that all electrical appliances should be fitted with a 3-pin plug, and air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines and dryers must carry the energy efficiency label from ESMA. An appliance with more stars is considered more efficient.
The campaigns also examined 10,844 tobacco products from 309 establishments. QCC inspectors confirmed their compliance with relevant regulations, such as obtaining ECAS certificate, and ensuring that the packs carried graphic images illustrating the risks of smoking as well as the required statutory warnings.
